What is VOICE?What is VOICE?DEFINTIONSlide 4DEFINITIONSo Let’s Talk about Voice?Your Voice IdentityYour VOICE IDENTITY (also includes)Prevention of Voice DisordersCauses of Voice ProblemsSome Important Points to RememberSlide 12Slide 13Voice Disorders and ProblemsVocal Hygiene AdviceSlide 16Slide 17Slide 18Slide 19Slide 20Slide 21Blood, CSD 100 1What is VOICE? “Voice” is the sound made by vibration of the vocal cords caused by air passing out through the larynx bringing the cords closer together. See the image of the vocal cords looking into the throat using a laryngeal mirror.Your voice is an extremely valuable resource and is the most commonly used form of communication. (continued)Blood, CSD 100 2What is VOICE?Our voice is invaluable for both our social interaction as well as for most people’s occupation. Proper care and use of your voice improves the likelihood of having a healthy voice for your entire lifetime.+ American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (2014). http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/aboutVoice.cfmBlood, CSD 100 3DEFINTIONWhat is Otolaryngology? Oto means EARLarynx refers to the THROATOlogy – the STUDY of something So….the study of ear and throat (voice) and disorders of the ear and throatThen what does Otorhinolaryngology mean? Oto means EARRhino mean NOSELarynx refers to the THROATOlogy – the STUDY of something So….the study of ear, nose and throat (voice) and disorders of the ears, nose and throatBlood, CSD 100 4DEFINTIONSo a Otorhinolarngologist studies and treats disorders of the Ears, Nose and Throat or we refer to these medical doctors as ENT’s (Ear, nose and throat physicians)Blood, CSD 100 5DEFINITIONSpeech-Language Pathologist Working with the full range of human communication and its disorders, speech-language pathologists:Evaluate and diagnose speech, language, VOICE, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders in individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly, in hospitals, schools, private practice and rehabilitation centers.Blood, CSD 100 6So Let’s Talk about Voice? Your voice is not only an instrument of verbal speech, it is also linked to self-conceptCalled vocal self-perceptionIndicator of emotionsHow a person feels emotionally and physically can upset or alter the functioning of the voice These factors can be revealed in the Voice QualityBlood, CSD 100 7Your Voice Identity Number of words you speak per minute (words per minute or wpm)Books on tape about 150–160 wpmNormal conversation between 125 -150 wpm Speakers using Power Point presentations about 100 wpmAuctioneers about 250 wpmSpeed does not necessarily reduce intelligibilityBlood, CSD 100 8Your VOICE IDENTITY (also includes) Number of words in one breath Rhythm of speech monotone or good variations Sound is Tense or Relaxed Reveals your Mood state angry, happy, sad, upset Clarity of Speech sounds mumbled, clear, quiet Resonance (sounds come through nose or mouth) Ease of breathing shallow, deep, audible Pitch - High or lowLoudness- Soft or loudBlood, CSD 100 9Prevention of Voice DisordersSo what is a VOICE DISORDER? Symptoms?Behaviors?Descriptors?Medical?Learned?PsychologicalBlood, CSD 100 10Causes of Voice Problems Learning faulty speech patterns Vocal abuse Allergies Maldevelopment of the vocal mechanism Frequent infections Trauma and Emotional problems Vocal nodules and tumorsVocal changes in puberty from Speech Language and Hearing Disorders ( Hall, Oyer, & Haas, 2011)Blood, CSD 100 11Some Important Points to RememberVoice problems can interfere with successful communication in children. Early detection of voice problems is important in children and adults. The parents, spouses, classroom teacher, speech-language pathologist, and physician are important for successful vocal therapy when disorders are present. Surveys show that 6-9% of children and 3- 6% of adults over 18 years of age have voice disorders.Blood, CSD 100 12Prevention of Voice DisordersVocal abuse is any behavior or occurrence that strains or injures the vocal cords. This may include excessive talking, throat clearing, coughing, alcohol, inhaling irritants, smoking, screaming, yelling.Blood, CSD 100 13Prevention of Voice DisordersVocal misuse is the improper use of the voice includingspeaking too loudly or too softly using an inappropriately low or high pitch. using too much tension or breathinessusing too much or too little resonanceBlood, CSD 100 14Voice Disorders and ProblemsA voice disorder needs to be treated by specialist in contrast to a voice problem Remember conservative estimates range from 3 to 6% of all adults over 18 have voice disordersHowever, an additional 25% of the adult population are unhappy with their voices and believe that their voice problems affect their social lives, occupations, and quality of life.Blood, CSD 100 15Vocal Hygiene AdviceDO NOT Scream, shout or yellUse non‑vocal sounds, noises instruments, e.g. whistle, bell Talk to people at a great distance from youMove closer to the other personTalk in a noisy environment (e.g., over music, machines, at sporting events, etc.)Reduce background noise. Position yourself close to other person and face themBlood, CSD 100 16Vocal Hygiene Advice DO NOTTry to lecture/speak to a large audience without a microphoneUse a microphoneSing if your voice is bothering you, (e.g., in a choir, bar, club, etc.Mouth along if necessarySing beyond comfortable pitch & loudness rangeEnsure you can hear your own voiceBlood, CSD 100 17Vocal Hygiene Advice DO NOTYell/speak extensively during strenuous physical exerciseAll that grunting and straining